Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1954)

The Ne That Is News MOTION PICTURE DAILY VOL. 76. NO. 116 NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1954 TEN CENTS Statistical Move Sindlinger to Probe Effects Of Theatre Tax Exhibitors to Contribute Data to Offset Claims Market analyst Albert E. Sindlinger has been retained by New York City exhibitors to gather statistics reflecting the efl:ect of the city's five per cent amusement tax on theatres since the inception of the local levy, it was announced yesterday following an exhibitor meeting at Loew's Theatres home office. Some 75 theatremen, after discussions concerning future strategy in the current battle against the levy on ticket admissions, engaged Sindlinger in order to "discredit" the tax estimates expected at the end of a year's time by the City Budget Director, it was said. All New York City theatres, independently or circuit operated, will be (Continued on page 5) No Supreme Court Hearings on Pending Cases Until Feb. From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. — The Supreme Court will not hear argument on any pending cases before February, court officials revealed. The court is deferring argument for the time being in hopes of having a full bench early next year. The Senate did not act at its special session on President Eisenhower's nomination of Circuit Court Justice Harlan to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Jackson. Awaiting argument are two cases involving the film industry : one, an {Continued on page 5) N.O. Area Exhibitors Guests of RKO NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 16.— Fiftythree exhibitors from this area joined RKO's Southern division sales personnel at a screening of Howard Hughes' Superscope-Technicolor production, "Underwater !," today at the Saenger Theatre here as the company began its final regional sales meeting. J. R. Grainger, president of RKO Radio Pictures, hosted the theatremen {Continued on page 5) 1955 Forecast See Allied^s Continued Use OfEDC on Trade Grievances Continued, if not heightened activity, of Allied's Emergency Defense Committee in 1955 was forecast here yesterday by an Allied official. The Allied spokesman, choosing to remain anonymous, expressed a good degree of satisfaction with some Work on Improving 'Scope Continues Continued work on improving the quality of CinemaScope was reported yesterday by Earl I. Sponable, 20th Century-Fox research director, who returned here from a trip to the Coast. Sponable, queried as to the nature of the improvements, said it was too early to announce them now, but indicated that they concerned progressive steps in the taking lenses. Regarding Eidophor, 20th-Fox's color theatre TV system, Sponable said the company is "close" to perfecting the prototype model which is to be manufactured by General Electric. Plans for utilization of the Eidophor equipment are expected to be announced when Spyros P. Skouras, president, returns from Europe at the of the results of Allied EDC meetings with individual producing-distributing film companies. In some instances he indicated that a change of policy has resulted even in companies claimed to be most hostile to the committee, namely Warner Brothers and Columbia. It was evident from his outline of the committee's activities that Allied puts a good deal of stock in its work, eschewing arbitration in favor of grappling with film rental issues and other trade practices which Allied feels more imjportant to small exhibitors. Acting as the on-the-scene spokesmen for the EDC committee, it was pointed out, are Irving Dollinger and Wilbur Snaper, with visiting Allied leaders making themselves available for conferences with individual companies. What was adopted as an emergency measure, it was pointed out, may be end of this month. Questioned on the possibility of hav | come an enduring vehicle for Allied to (Continued on page 5) air its trade grievances. The Silver Chalice [Warner Bro fliers] (CinemaScope) HoUyzvood, Dec 16 VICTOR SAVILLE'S CinemaScope production will find audiences charmed by its unusual and meticulous splendor, the natural quality of its color, its detailed richness, the spic and span effect of its costumes and the Biblical settings. It truly is an art director's dream. It was a righteous effort to attempt the screen treatment of the novel to draw attention to the nearly 2,000 years that have passed since The Prince of Peace effected a "Christian conscience" that has yet to penetrate some existing groups of uncivilized infidels, who may be compared to the ancient Roman rulers. Pier Angeli owes much to director Saville for affording her a fullrein opportunity to display a warm, beautiful personality that gives the film much of its reverential quality and reveals the potential of her looming career. Jack Palance as Simon, magician, victimized by the belief that he is possessed of supernatural powers, and Virginia Mayo, a former slave girl who turns into a gold-digging opportunist as (Continued on page 2) "Show Business" Given N. Y. Premiere 20th Century-Fox's CinemaScope production, "There's No Business Like Show Business," was presented at the Roxy theatre last night in a gala premiere attended by many celebrities. Details and pictures on pages 4 and 5. At Next Meeting Map Financing Program for Anti-Toll-TV Expect All Organizations To Contribute to Drive The dimensions of the anti-toll TV campaign and how it will be financed will be the major topics of the next meeting of the joint exhibitors toll TV committee, slated to be held shortly after the first of the year, it was learned here yesterday from sources close to the committee. One source expressed assurance that exhibitor organizations will contribute the financing for, as he put it, the "life of the motion picture theatre is at stake." In addition to Theatre Owners of America and Allied States Association, the committee spokesman was quick to point out there are other organizations such as Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association and Independent Theatre Owners Association, both of New York, which have a vital stake in the upcoming battle. Another source, . which is felt of {Continued on page 6) New Company Plans 15% Distribution Fee to Producers A new releasing organization designed to handle independent product on the basis of a distribution charge of 15 per cent is in the process of formation by Sam Nathanson, president of Gibraltar Motion Picture Distributors, Inc. Nathanson, currently in New York from the Coast, said the setup would be available, at the outset at least, only to independent producers who make one or two pictures a year. Under the new company's format, (Continued on page 6) Deny Schine Chain Bought Hildemart BUFFALO, Dec. 16.— Payments totalling $90,000 for purchase of Hildemart Corp. stock for wives anJ children of the Schine brothers did not come from the Schine Theatres, Inc., a witness asserted in the Federal Court contempt action against the chain and 14 other defendants. Mrs. Florence D. Torrey, assistant (Continued on page 6)